Maybe we knew, at some unconscious, instinctive level, that it would be an era best forgotten. Whatever the reason, we got through the first decade of the new millennium without ever agreeing on what to call it. The aughts? The naughties? Whatever. (Yes, I know that strictly speaking the millennium didn't begin until 2001. Do we really care?) ...more

December 29, 2009

Slowly, Americans are recouping some of their loss of wealth from the recession, thanks to gains in stocks and home values. ...more

December 11, 2009

State Sen. Michael Fasano is taking Pinellas County to task for failing to implement a program he shepherded through the Legislature. County officials should continue to take their time. ...more

November 14, 2009

Home values show signs of stabilizing, but nearly half of Tampa area homeowners owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. ...more

November 10, 2009

The victims were as old as 91 and their losses could add up to nearly $20 million. ...more

October 26, 2009

Testimony continued Wednesday in the trial of a couple accused of defrauding an elderly woman out of her house and assets, although the alleged victim didn't take the stand as expected. ...more

September 17, 2009

During President Obama's campaign, I recall seeing an interview clip of a woman who attended one of his rallies. When asked why she was voting for Obama, she responded, "Obama is going to pay my mortgage and put gas in my tank." ...more

August 6, 2009

Finally our local government is making common-sense decisions. The Tampa Sports Authority made a decision not to give the front-runner for the vacant executive director post a $10,000 stipend to help pay his mortgages. This man is already making a six-figure income and wanted help from the taxpayer. Two members of the three-member executive committee voted to not give him this money. To them I say well done. ...more

July 27, 2009

I am 83 years old and I have seen things come and go. I have never written to my congressman or any newspaper because everything would seem to come back and it wouldn't hurt the people. Now people, get your calculator. The stimulus package has cost the taxpayers in the trillions of dollars. ...more

July 8, 2009

Thousands of Tampa Bay area homeowners face foreclosure, and they don't always find help on the other end of their lender's 1-800 number. ...more

April 15, 2009